AUVI-Q Epinephrine

I had the immense pleasure of attending a seminar yesterday in Newark, New Jersey at the Sanofi headquarters, to see and learn about the Auvi-Q Epinephrine devices. Auvi-Q stands for Audio-Visual Ques. These devices have an audio clip that verbally instruct how to use them, as well as having pictured instructions; like the defibrillators that are schools and public places now! These new Auvi-Q devices will be available BY MARCH!!!! I am telling you ALL, these are going to SAVE LIVES! Why? What makes these so much better than our trusted Epi-pens you ask? As far as the medication in them- nothing. Same drug. Same life saving qualities. What WILL make the difference is the size, portability and ease of use of these new devices! I can tell you it’s small, light, [think of the older style flip-phones!], but to SEE them-WOW! These are easy to just put in your pocket and go!

Now for the most amazing part! Just how easy it is to use these! I did not get to see Caleb yesterday at all- [I left at 4:30 in the morning and got home at 9:30pm]. So when he got up this morning I was excited to see what his reaction to what will soon be his new epi device. I handed it to him to check out- and I gave him NO INSTRUCTIONS on how to use it!!!! This is what he did!

Removed outer case

Removed red safety tab

Place against outerthigh

Awaited 5-4-3-2-1

My six-year-old child can use this device with NO instruction from ME! He could use this to save his brother’s life. A total stranger could use this to save HIS life! So I asked Caleb what he thought about the new Epis- This was what I got:

I did try a similar thing with Jacob who is 3- he could not remove the case or the red tab by himself. I think this is a good feature so we know little curious monkeys won’t be accidentally sticking themselves!

courtesy of Sanofi

So here are the facts about the new epis. The price points are going to be about the same as the standard Epipens, and hopefully a little less. They are currently negotiating these figures with the insurance companies. The shelf life of the medication will be the same, about a year or a little more; and it will have the same hot and cold requirements (59-86 degrees). The actual devices with medication have either a blue or orange, depending on the dose. They will be sold as a two pack with a trainer as well. The devices audio clip on the trainer will last for 2 years time being used once a day, outlasting the expiration date! The device will work even if the audio clip doesn’t. They can withstand being dropped, or left in the rain. However, due to sanitation reasons, should you drop yours in the lake, ocean, tub, or toilet- best to replace the device so you are not injected with something gross [and end up starring in an episode of Monsters Inside Me]! The trainer device LOOKS very different from the actual, its black and gray, but it feels, operates and even SOUNDS like the real thing. When you remove the cover of the trainer it will tell you “This Trainer contains no needle or drug.” As you PLACE- [not jab!] device or trainer against your outer thigh and press the top- you will actually HEAR it HISS- this happens within the first second. That sound is the needle entering, releasing the medicine and retracting! All within the first second! You will never even SEE the needle, so no fear of withdrawing the needle from leg. For now the device will only come as an English-speaking version, and a French-speaking version will be available in Canada. The device also has written instructions as well as visual cues printed on its labels.

I LOVE these! I think we will be seeing these everywhere- perfect to have in schools and restaurants. The size and portability of these devices will be great for male adults to easily carry in shirt, suit, or pants pockets. The biggest WIN will be if these are as big of a hit with the teenagers as I feel they will be! We are hearing way to many stories of teenagers not carrying their medicine sometimes with fatal results. These devices are going to be discrete enough that I pray we see a positive change in those numbers!

Disclosure: I disclose in any communication made by me about Auvi-Q, this event or any other Sanofi US products that such communication is at my own discretion and based on my own opinion. In any discussion or communication relating to the Summit, I disclose that my travel expenses were compensated by Sanofi US in exchange for evaluation and feedback on Auvi-Q information. [Sadly, I was not given free samples of the medication nor was I made the drug rep for my state- But how awesome would that job be?! LOL! ]

Also please be sure to check out my friend Caroline over at Grateful Foodie as she will be compiling a list of the links to this article and ones posted by the other attendees of this meeting. That way you can review the other opinions (but I still think you will LOVE the Auvi-Q)!

14 Responses to AUVI-Q Epinephrine

GREAT post! I love how you used the $100 for sizing. But truly, nothing matters, the picture of your son with his thumb’s up says it all! Okay, funny side bar: in Iran, the thumbs up is like our our middle finger. I did this to my then future mother in-law before my wedding. Nothing like flipping off your future mother in-law. The startled look on her face told me I made a mistake. She understood.

A few observations on the Auvi-Q:
1. The size is compact compared to the Epipen but it is required to carry 2 auto-injectors at all times. Put two of these in your pocket and its not so compact.
2. I am concerned about the possibility in an emergency situation that this device could be confused for something else.
3. In the FDA studies that Intelliject presented, the device (audio cues)malfunctioned 7 times out of 40 plus time. This caused the participants to be improperly use the device.
4. In the Sharps study participants stated that the device was difficult to use when hands were wet and the shape of the device was difficult to handle.

Do you really need an auto injector to tell you how to use it?
The epipen has been around for 25 years tried and true. I don’t know about you but I want something that is easy and reliable which the epipen is.

Hi Bill, I will try to address your concerns here, and I will invite Auvi-Q reps to answer if they have more insight.
1. Re:The size: I find that carrying two of these compact devices to be easier than the 2 Epipens that people are SUPPOSED to be carrying. The problem is many people don’t carry them, because they do not fit in pants pockets, or shirt pockets. And truthfully, 2 of these are still easier to fit in a pocket than 2 epipens.
2. Re: Confusion about the devices purpose. I believe that with proper commercial introduction most people will recognize the device. It also is clearly labeled with written and pictured instructions.
3. The Auvi-Q can be used even if the verbal cues are not working, or if you don’t want/need to wait for the verbal instructions. Again, instructions are written and pictured clearly on the device as well.
4. Re: Shape and wet hands: I liked the shape of the device. I think it fit comfortably in my hand- very similar to the older flip style cell phones. As far as using it if your hands are wet- No one asked that and I am not sure how it would hinder use- [or simply dry hands on shirt/ jeans/ etc before using?] It is the same medication as Epipens- simply a different delivery device. The broader pressure point of the device also hurts less when pressure applied to inject the medicine-[try poking a finger in your thigh then try with with folded knuckles.] And lastly, you do not need to slam it into thigh to inject it- just place against leg and depress. I hope you get a chance to examine a trainer sometime, I do think you will find it better than hoped for! Thank you for your thoughts and comments! ~Jenny

Thanks for passing this along Jenny. Bill, while we are not able to engage in product discussions on this forum, I would encourage you to contact Sanofi Medical Information for product specific questions at 1-800-633-1610, option 1 or at http://ow.ly/cY159. Best, Lindsey

[…] is an Epi-Pen (our Epi-Pen Jr. is pictured above) competitor that is voice guided and compact (see Jenny’s post about it here and Caroline’s post as well – they were both able to preview the device […]

[…] Epinephrine is adrenaline. It is prescribed to be used in the event of serious allergic reactions or asthmatic conditions, to help prevent anaphylaxis. There are now 2 major manufacturers of Epinephrine devices available for you to choose from when getting your medicine: The Mylan Epi-Pen,widely known and recognized, or the new comer, Sanofi Auvi-Q – the talking epi-device. [You can see my review of it HERE]. […]

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Information on this site is solely my opinion and is not is not intended to replace any medical advice or doctors orders. You should always consult your doctor with any medical concerns. Always check labels of foods I recommend as companies can and do change manufacturing and ingredients. All words and photos are my own and are copyrighted. Please do not use or repost without attribution and/or permission.